Justicia brandegeeana is an evergreen shrub from Central America that thrives in the understory of tropical forests. The plants grow in many stemmed clumps, and in Zone 8B growing shrimp plants in the garden has become so prevalent it has now naturalized in many areas. Each stem is tipped by a spike of light pink to rusty red bracts that arch into a form that looks remarkably like shrimp.

Once the first bracts appear, a shrimp plant will bloom for months and then will rest for a short time before starting up again. They should include frequent trimming to encourage fuller growth and more bloom. The plant will grow in full sun or part shade but morning sun is ideal because it brings out the brightest colors.